Rug-displayer.



W. J. SMITH. RUG DISPLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 14. 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

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W. J. SMITH.

RUG DISPLAYER.

APPLIUATION FILED 11110.14, 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

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ATTORNEYS lcoLulumm PLANOGRAPH co.. wAsmN'x-ON. D. C.

W. J. SMITH.

. RUG DISPLAYBR.

APPLICATION FILED DE(].14, 1910.

Patented July 11,1911.

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RUG-DISPLAYER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1911.

Application filed December 14, 1910. Serial No. 597,211.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Tiiin, county of Seneca, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rug-Displayers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in rug displayers, and consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient device of the character specified, for holding rugs in such manner that without injury to the rugs, they may be presented to the inspection of the purchaser to the best advantage, and wherein the rug may be easily released from the holding means when sold.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a front view. Fig. 3 is a partialA front view of an individual holder. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a track-supporting bracket. Fig. 6 is a side view of a part of a holding arm. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a side view of the supporting bracket for the track ends. Fig. 9. is a section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, and, Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the connecting means between the holders and the central support.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a track adapted to be secured to a support 1, as for instance, a wall or beam, or other suitable rigid object, and the track comprises a plurality of angle bars 2, two in the present instance, arranged alongside of each other in a horizontal plane. Each bar is curved from end to end, and forms, approximately, a semi-circle. The bars are spaced apart and concentric and are secured at their ends to the wall or beam 1, and are supported intermediate the ends from the ceiling 3, by means of hangers. Each hanger consists of a substantially U-shaped bracket 4, reinforced at its center by a lon gitudinal rib 5, and the ends of the arms of the brackets are bent inwardly to form flanges 6 for a purpose to be presently described. A bolt 7 is passed through a central opening 7a in the body of each bracket, the head of the bolt being beneath the said body, and a second bolt 8 is passed through an opening 8a in a strap 9, whose ends are secured to the ceiling preferably at a joist 10. The adjacent ends of the bolts are engaged by a double nut 11, the nut and bolts forming a turnbuckle, by means of which the bracket may be adjusted toward and from the ceiling.

The bars 2 before mentioned are supported by the ianges 6 of the brackets, one side 2a of each plate resting against the adjacent arm of the bracket, while the other side 2b rests on the flange 6, and the firstnamed side is secured rigidly to the arm by a rivet 12. The upper faces of the sides 2b of the angle bars form the track upon which the carriage of the rug holder is movable.

The central openings 7L and Sa of the brackets 4 and the strap 9 are square, as shown in Fig. 5, and the bolts 7 and 8 are also square to fit the same, so that the nut 11 may be turned without affecting the bolts. The reinforcing rib 5 of the bracket is enlarged, as shown at 5a' around the opening 7a, and also around the openings for the rivets 12.

The carriage above mentioned comprises an axle 13, upon which is journaled a plate 14, at the center of the axle, and the plate is provided with a hub 15, extending on each side thereof. A wheel 16 is journaled on each end of the axle, and is held in place by a pin 17, passing transversely through the axle. The hubs of the wheels engage the ends of the hub 15, and the wheels run upon the sides 2b of the angle bars, while the body of the plate 14, which is substantially triangular in shape, depends between the bars. The hub 15 is at the apex of the plate, so that the base is below the bars. A frame or housing 18 is supported by each plate. Each housing is provided in its top with a slot 19, and the plate 14 is provided with a lug 20 extending downwardly from its base, and having at the end thereof a bar 21. The bar 21 will fit and pass through the slot 19, and when the housing is turned to bring the bar transversely of the slot, the housing is supported by the plate. A shaft 22 is journaled transversely of each housing, in bearings 23, and a bevel gear wheel 24 is secured on the shaft in the housing by a pin 25. Each gear wheel is provided with a longitudinal groove' or notch 26 in its hub, and a catch 27 is slidable in a slot 2S in a partition 29 in the housing, for engaging the notch to prevent rotation of the gear. A spring 30 encircles the catch in a compartment 31 in the housing, below the partition, and bears at one end against the housing, and at the other against a collar 32 on the catch. The spring normally holds the catch in engagement with the notch, and a chain 33 is provided for releasing the catch. The lower end of the catch extends out of the housing, and is provided with a reduced lug 34, perforated to receive the chain. The chain is of sufficient length to be grasped by one standing on the floor, and has a ring 35 at its lower end. Then the chain is pulled, the catch is released, and the shaft is free to rotate. A hollow shaft 3G is also supported by the housing. A bevel gear wheel 37 is arranged in the housing, meshing' with the bevel gear wheel 24, and the said wheel 37 is provided with a stem 3S :fitting within the upper end of the hollow shaft, and secured thereto by rivets 39. A hand wheel 40 is arranged at the lower end of the hollow shaft, and is provided with a stem 4l fitting within the shaft and secured thereto by rivets 42. lVhen the catch 27 is released, the shaft may be rotated by the hand wheel, it being understood that the hollow shaft is of such length as to permit the wheel to be turned from the Hoor.

Each of the shafts 22 is hollow, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 7, and extends on each side of the housing. At suitable intervals, the shaft is provided with transversely arranged pins 43, each of which extends upon both sides of the shaft, and has its ends pointed. The lugs (not shown) are supported by the pins, which are passed through the substance of the rug at one end thereof. It will be understood that as long as the pins are held horizontal, the rug will be held in place. As soon, however, as the pins are slanted with their points downwardly, the rug will slip off. Each shaft will support two rugs, one upon each side, and either rug may be dropped or released without affecting the other. lVhen the rugs are not being displayed, they may be swung back against the wall, one against the other, as indicated in Fig. l. When to be displayed, the rugs are moved out in succession, the carriages moving smoothly on the track.

A mechanism is provided for holding the shafts radial to the center of the arc of the track, the said mechanism comprising an angle plate consisting of two arms 44 and 44fL arranged at right angles to each other. The free ends of the arms are secured to the wall in any suitable manner, and the plate is at the center of the chord of the are of the track. The plate is provided with spaced openings 45, and the openings are adapted to be engaged by a pin 46, on a head 47, on the end of a stem 4S. The stem is received in the end of a hollow rod 49, and is secured thereto by rivets 50. The rod 49 is slidable in the inner end of a shaft 22,

each shaft 22 having one of the rods. When the shafts 22 are moved out on the track, as indicated in Fig. l, the rod is partially withdrawn from the shaft but holds the shaft approximately radial to the track, so that the rug will be displayed to its best advantage. The rods may be disengaged from the plate 44, 44, by lifting the head 47.

The device is assembled by connecting the track with the ceiling and wall, and is adjusted to position by the turnbuckles, the carriages being placed before the track is suspended. The housings are then connected with the carriages, by entering the bars 2l in the slots 19 and turning the housings. The rods 49 are then connected and prevent disengagement of the housings.

The rugs may be released from the holders by releasing the catch 27, and turning the hand wheel 40 in the proper direction. The catch prevents accidental disengagement.

rlhe ends of the track are connected with the support by the brackets shown in Figs. S and 9. Each bracket consists of a body 51, having an opening for receiving a screw 52, by means of which the bracket is held to the wall, and two upwardly extending spaced arms 53. The bars 2 of the track are seated between the arms, the side 2a of each bar being secured to the adjacent arm by a rivet 54, and the side 2b resting on the body of the bracket.

I claim:

1. A device of the character specified comprising a substantially semicircnlar track, a plurality of carriages movable on the track, each carriage having a depending lug provided with an integral bar spaced from the carriage and extending longitudinally of the track, a housing having a slot for receiving the bar, ahollow shaft journaled transversely of the housing, and provided at spaced intervals with transverse pins for holding a rug on each side of the shaft, a bevel gear on the shaft in the housing, a

vertical shaft journaled in the housing and provided with a hand wheel at its lower end, a bevel pinion on the vertical shaft meshing with the bevel gear on the hollow shaftfa catch for preventing rotation of the hollow shaft, a flexible connection depending from the catch alongside the vertical shaft for releasing the catch, a rod slidable in the inner end of each hollow shaft, a plate provided with spaced openings at approximately the center of the circle upon which the arc of the track is taken, a head on each rod having a pin for engaging one of the openings, and means for adjustably supporting the track.

2. A device of the character specified, comprising a substantially circular track, a plurality of carriages, movable on the track, each carriage having a depending` lug provided with an integral bar spaced from the carriage and extending longitudinally of the track, a housing having a slot for receiving the bar, a hollow shaft journaled transversely of the housing, and provided at spaced intervals with transverse pins for holding a rug on each side of the shaft, a bevel pinion on the shaft in the housing, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing and provided with a hand wheel at its lower end, a bevel gear wheel on the vertical shaft meshing with the bevel pinion on the hollow shaft, a catch for preventingrotation of the hollow shaft, a flexible connection depending from the catch alongside the vertical shaft for releasing the catch, a rod slidable on the inner end of each hollow shaft, a plate provided with spaced openings at approximately the center of the circle upon which the arc of the track is taken, and ay head on each rod having a pin for engaging one of the openings.

3. A device of the character specified, comprising a substantially semi-circular track, a plurality of carriages movable on the track, each carriage having a depending lug provided with an integral bar spaced from the carriage and extending longitudinally of the track, a housing having a slot for receiving the bar, a hollow shaft journaled transversely of the housing and provided at spaced intervals with transverse pins for holding a rug on each side of the shaft, a bevel gear on the shaft in the housing, a vertical shaft journaled in the housing and provided with a hand wheel at its lower end, a bevel pinion on the vertical shaft meshing with the bevel gear on the hollow shaft, a catch for preventing rotation of the hollow shaft, a flexible connection depending from the catch alongside the vertical shaft for releasing the catch, and means for holding each shaft substantially radial to the track regardless of the position of the carriage.

4. A device of the character specified comprising a substantially semi-circular track, a plurality of carriages movable on the track, each carriage having a depending lug provided with an integral bar spaced from the carriage and extending longitudinally of the track, a housing having a slot for receiving the bar, a hollow shaft ournaled transversely of the housing, and provided at spaced intervals with transverse pins for holding a rug on each side of the shaft, a bevel gear on the shaft in the housing, a vertical shaft ournaled in the housing, and provided with a hand wheel at its lower end, a bevel pinion on the vertical shaft meshing with the bevel gear on the hollow shaft, a catch for preventing rotation of the hollow shaft, and a flexible connection depending from the catch alongside the vertical shaft for releasing the catch.

5. A device of the character specified, comprising a curved track, a plurality of carriages movable on the track, a housing for each carriage, means for detachably connecting each housing with its carriage, a shaft journaled transversely of each housing, and provided with oppositely extending transverse pins for engaging and supporting a rug on each side of the shaft, and releasable means for holding the shaft with the pins horizontal.

6. In a device of the character specified, a shaft for supporting theX rugs, a housing in which the shaft is journaled, said housing having a slot in its top substantially parallel with the track, a bar extending longitudinally of the track, and fitting the slot of the housing and rigidly connected with the carriage, and means for holding the shaft transversely to the track to lprevent disengagement of the bar from the slot.

7. In a device of the character specified, a track comprisng spaced rails, a carriage comprising an axle, a wheel on each end thereof, each wheel running on one rail, a plate depending between the rails and having a hub engaging the axle, a housing for each carriage, means for detachably connecting the housing with the carriage, and a rug holding shaft journaled in' the housing.

WILLIAM J. SMITH.

Witnesses:

HAL IV. MICHAELS, CHAS. HERRMANN, Jr.

Ccpes of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

